Sunday, November 21, 2010

As a 3.5 year old, Seth did not speak. He did not point. He had never called me "mama". He did not communicate in any form, other than screaming. Tantrums. Screaming. All day, every day. He didn't know how to play with toys. All he did was spin the wheels on cars/bikes/strollers all day long. We would go for walks in the stroller, and he wouldn't enjoy the outdoors, he would look down at the wheels the entire time. We couldn't go out in public and we couldn't have play dates. We were at the end of our rope.

Then, we found our naturopath. By nothing short of heavenly intervention, we found an amazing woman who is recovering autistic children every day. She started Seth on supplements, homeopathic remedies, and told me to cut out all wheat and dairy from his diet. She explained to us that these children are toxic. This world full of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, toxins, unhealthy food, artificial colors, etc., and is producing children that exhibit the same symptoms of truly autistic children. What do I mean by truly autistic? Someone who has a true neurological disorder. 1 in 94 children in the United States does not have a true neurological disorder. 1 in 94 children has heavy metal poisoning. Growing up, by the time I reached school aged, I had 10 vaccines. Kids now are getting 36 by the time they enter school. You do the math. If you look at the symptoms of mercury toxicity and the symptoms of autism they are almost word for word. For Seth, his 15 month (MMR) vaccines are the straw that broke his back. My diet pre conception and during pregnancy, environmental toxins, emotional trauma, pitocin during labor and formula feeding are all the things, I believe, led to his collapse after the MMR vaccine.

We followed our naturopaths orders and little by little, Seth came back. He started to wake up to the world around him. He started playing. He started talking.

We radically changed our lives. We went from eating whatever looked good at our local mainstream grocery store to eating vegetables from a farmer's market and meat from local, grass fed animals. I threw out all of our Tide laundry detergent, our window cleaners, our children's tylenol, all of it. If it was conventional, it was in the garbage can. Conventional is what made Seth sick. If you had told me 6 years ago that I would have a baby in my bedroom, have chicken feet in my freezer for broth, and be contemplating homeschooling, I would have laughed in your face. But, when your child is sick, you will do anything to make them better.

Seth is so much better. He makes eye contact, he laughs, he plays, he communicates. He attends a preschool in the mornings where none of the teachers have any idea he use to be "autistic". But, I don't think I can say he's 100% recovered. He still screams. He still tantrums. He still has a lot of sensory issues. I've been doing what I do best (researching) and I think it is time for us to take another step forward in Seth's healing journey. Making this publicly known, will help me to stay focused and committed to what we are doing.

We tested a few different diets with our naturopath (Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Body Ecology Diet, and Gluten/Casein Free diet) and The Body Ecology Diet won with flying colors for Seth. Seth doesn't eat "bad" food right now - but I think he's become addicted to starches/sugars. Over the past couple years, he has slowly weaned his approved food list down just beans, rice, buckwheat pancakes, homemade muffins, and bananas. Right now, he gags whenever he put any other type of food in his mouth. We don't know where to start with that. I know what to feed him, I just don't know how to get it in his stomach. I am crossing my fingers that as we introduce young coconut kefir (body ecology diet protocols) that his cravings for the starches will diminish and he might want to eat other foods. (Any tips are humbly appreciated when it comes to feeding sensory-stricken autistic kids)

I believe that this diet could be the last piece of the puzzle for Seth. Energy healing, homeopathy, supplements, and taking out allergenic foods are the things that have helped the most. Another radical diet change, I know, can be the final step to Seth's recovery.

I am making my menu plans, and figuring this all out. The craziness of the holidays are upon us, and I might not be in the right state of mind to fully start until January. But, in the mean time, I will be preparing.

Friday, November 19, 2010

"Love, joy, and peace are all Divine gifts, Divine properties. They can work miracles even on their own. Love unites and makes everything whole; peace radiates from a person and exudes silence; and joy takes away the pain of the soul. When a joyous person meets a sorrowful one and speaks a few kind and peaceful words, all of a sudden it is as though the sun has risen for the sad person. Separately, love, peace, and joy work miracles, but united they can rule over all things. When they are united and deeply rooted in a person's heart, wherever that person emits a thought, there is peace, for such a person radiates peace."

"You must strive to have peace in your homes. Peace starts with each one of us. When we have peace in us, we spread it around to others. You can see for yourself that there are very few humble and meek souls on the earth - but also that they are truly blessed. They will not be offended if you insult them in any way. Whatever way you treat them, they are quiet and peaceful and they are truly sorrowed because you are in such spiritual torment."

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I try to make it to the gym at least a few times a week. Being mom to two young kids, I don't have time to waste. So, when I'm there, I work. I work hard. Running, weights, the whole shebang. After my workout I always crave water and protein. This smoothie is the best of both worlds. I don't buy into protein powders. I haven't come across a protein powder tree anywhere in nature yet, have you? I trust plants more than powder. Raw egg yolks from pastured hens are a wonderful source of protein, vitamins and minerals. I always feel strong and energized after this smoothie.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Cook the meat and onion together. While it's cooking throw everything else in the crockpot.

1 28 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed1 28 oz can organic baked beans 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes1 cup frozen corn1/2-1 cup frozen spinachsalt, pepperseveral shakes of chili powder and oregano - We like our chili really mild, you can always throw in more spices or a can of green chilies if you need to.

Add the meat/onion mixture. Stir it up. Cook on low 8 hours, or high for 4 hours.

I served this over brown rice. It would be great with some crushed tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, etc.

I think next time I might throw a few carrots in the food processor and cook them with the meat. I'll make it a game. I'll call it "how many vegetables can I sneak in the chili before someone notices". Is it sad that I get excited about something like that? Welcome to motherhood.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

These salmon cakes are our go-to dinner if it's 5:00 and nothing is cooking yet. This dinner is perfect for a beautiful fall evening, when all you want to do is play outside in the leaves, not cook dinner.

Salmon Cakes

1 can salmon1 egg1 tbsp mayopinch salt or herbamerepinch dill

Mix together until well blended. Cook on a hot griddle covered with butter or coconut oil, just like pancakes. Let each side cook for 2-3 minutes.

Serve With:

If you're really running short on time, serve this with a salad with veggies.

If you've got more time, roast a few vegetables and cook a pot of brown rice.